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Regeneration is continuing in South Shields Town Centre.

Opening The Word and making improvements to the Transport Interchange were major successes which have changed the face of South Shields, but increasing footfall is paramount. 

We have developed a Masterplan Vision setting out a framework for the future of the town centre over the next 10 years. 

This will provide interventions and generate confidence for others to invest.

It seeks to deliver a vibrant, attractive, and healthy town with a secure and sustainable future. A place where people want to live, work, study and socialise.

The vision was developed following  with residents, traders and visitors.

The Masterplan Vision

The Masterplan Vision is a blueprint for the delivery of infrastructure and development.

It allows the council, partner organisations, landowners, investors and developers to work together to bring about further meaningful change.

Five sub areas have been identified within South Shields Town Centre as opportunity areas for regeneration.

This includes:

• Mill Dam / Harton Quays

For full details see, South Shields Town Centre Masterplan Vision.

Progress so far

The completion of phase one and two of the South Shields regeneration scheme includes:

• The Word, National Centre for the Written Word - Recognised as a cultural venue of regional and national significance.
• A renovated and remodelled Market Place, including public art installation celebrating South Tyneside's maritime connections with the rest of the world.
• South Shields Transport Interchange making bus and Metro connectivity around and beyond the borough easier for residents and visitors.
• New bus routes through the town centre creating the space for a new College and Marine School.
• Site assembly for future developments with demolition work ongoing.
• Construction of a new  park at Harton Quays.
• Investment in Ocean Road highways and public realm.

In December 2023, planning permission was granted for a multi-million pound new college campus and student accommodation.

South Tyneside College and South Shields Marine School will therefore be relocating from their current Westoe site into the heart of the town centre.

This move will play a key role in improving the town centre, increasing footfall and helping to support existing retailers and traders.

The campus will also provide a new focal and social hub for students, residents, and visitors.

The plans for the development include a main building, accessed from King Street, with a fantastic double-height glass atrium.

A second entrance will be provided along Barrington Street, and a refurbished Grade-II-listed building will house part of South Shields Marine School.

For the latest update, see Green light for college relocation.

Aims

• Create a strong frontage to King Street
• Improved public realm
• Grassed space / tree planting for temporary events and rain gardens to improve drainage
• Increased footfall in the town centre can help sustain local businesses and revitalise the high street

Strengths and opportunities

• Well-connected via public transport (metro, bus and ferry).
• Younger demographic coming to the town centre to use the college and other facilities.

For full details see, South Shields Town Centre Masterplan Vision.

The Mill Dam area runs along the riverside to the west of the town centre.

The Masterplan proposals for Mill Dam are focused around the Customs House and the former Glassworks site.

There are opportunities for new proposals which tie in with the town's rich heritage, whilst building on key new developments in the area. This contributes towards a wider regeneration programme to create a sustainable future for South Shields Town Centre.

Strengths and opportunities

• Well connected via public transport (metro, bus and ferry)
• Improved links through the town centre
• Close proximity to local facilities and amenities
• Vacant waterfront sites with opportunity for redevelopment
• Leisure and recreational space with a pedestrian link along the riverside
• Increased activity along the waterfront by maximising pedestrian links

The town centre is an important and distinctive area and is the commercial heart of South Shields.

This area relates to King Street, the Market Place and Queen Street.

The growth of online shopping and its effects on the high street have been particularly felt in this area and has resulted in more vacant premises and reduced footfall.

Aims for the town centre

The Masterplan proposes improvements to the town centre including:

• a covered space directly on to the Market Place
• improved food and drink around the Market Place including a food hall within empty buildings and pop up food and drink kiosks
• an open air theatre / cinema / performance space and cafe could be introduced within St Hilda's Square
• residential redevelopment
• improvements to King Street including, additional planting, new seating, lighting and public art
• improved pedestrian route
• improved landscape
• a vibrant retail / leisure offer

A large part of this sub area is taken up by the Asda Superstore and car park.

Areas of change are focussed on the former gas holder site and Oyston Street car park.

Aims

• Opportunity to expand Oyston Street car park
• Additional lighting in the green space next to St Hilda's Church
• Public realm improvements including street trees, rain gardens, furniture, and lighting
• Opportunity for improved pedestrian routes

For full details see, South Shields Town Centre Masterplan Vision.

The Masterplan Vision proposes substantial change within the Southern gateway. 

It aims to create a sense of identity and community with the aim to encourage residential development and investment in the area.

Aims for the area

• Widened footways, improved crossings and a cycle lane along Fowler Street to make the area safer / more appealing to cyclists and pedestrians
• Terraced housing to the east and south of Winchester Street
• Transform Fowler Street through soft landscaping, rain gardens and trees
• Reduced retail space with the opportunity for conversion to residential use
• 2 to 3 storey housing with opportunities including amenity garden space above gardens, duplex housing and back to back homes
• Opportunity for pocket parks within residential areas
• Minimise vehicular traffic on Fowler Street and possible re-routing of buses
• Reduce surface car parking

For full details see, South Shields Town Centre Masterplan Vision.